KI DKI: Information Disclosure Strengthens Democratic Quality

The DKI Jakarta Information Commission (KI) assesses that public information disclosure is an important indicator contributing to the improvement of democratic quality. “For the Information Commission, public information disclosure is the foundation of democracy,” said Ferid Nugroho, Commissioner for Education, Socialisation, and Advocacy at KI DKI Jakarta, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday. He stated that democracy is not only measured by freedom of expression or the holding of elections, but also by the extent to which the public obtains public information that is fast, accurate, easily accessible, and accountable. According to him, information disclosure contributes to three main aspects of the Indonesia Democracy Index: civil liberties, political rights, and the capacity of democratic institutions. Ferid mentioned that in 2025, KI DKI Jakarta conducted Monitoring and Evaluation (E-Monev) of Public Information Disclosure for 829 public bodies in Jakarta. Of that number, 189 public bodies received an informative rating as an indicator of increased compliance with the implementation of information disclosure. However, he said the scope of the evaluation has not yet reached all public bodies in Jakarta, so his party continues to encourage increased transparency, including within educational units in the implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB). He added that the Information Commission also carries out the function of resolving information disputes as part of the checks and balances mechanism between public bodies and the community to realise transparent, accountable, and responsive governance. “Going forward, public information services must be more inclusive so that all citizens can access information without barriers,” Ferid stressed. Meanwhile, Tri Kurnia Prihatono, Head of Domestic Politics and Community Organisations at the DKI Jakarta National Unity and Political Affairs Agency (Kesbangpol), said the DKI Jakarta Indonesia Democracy Index (IDI) achievement for 2025 of 82.94, which placed Jakarta in eighth place nationally, should serve as momentum to strengthen various democratic indicators. However, he said, evaluation through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) is needed to gather input from various stakeholders to formulate recommendations for improving the quality of democracy in Jakarta, including through strengthening public information disclosure. “There are still a number of indicators that need to be strengthened so that the quality of democracy in Jakarta continues to improve in the coming years. The FGD is a strategic forum for gathering input from various stakeholders,” Tri stated.